The Ranch Girls and Their Great Adventure

But at this moment Jean and Ralph Merritt joined the little group.

No one spoke of Frieda's being the last to appear, since this had always been her custom so long as the other Ranch Girls could recall.

Jean Merritt wore her favorite rose color, a dress of satin with an overdress of tulle. And in spite of all the flowers blooming in Kent garden, Ralph had not forgotten to bring her a box from London of the deep pink roses she had always loved.

However, before dinner was announced the Professor strolled placidly in, garbed in entirely proper evening clothes.

"Frieda says if you will be kind enough to wait dinner for her a few moments, she will be with you almost at once. There was some little errand, some little commission she still wished to attend to before we leave the library."

The Professor sat quietly down, asked Frank Kent an important question concerning the war and straightway fell into earnest conversation.

However Frieda did make her appearance within a short time. She was dainty and lovely as ever in a misty, pale blue gown, but, unlike her usual self, she seemed a little embarrassed and apologetic.

The four Ranch Girls and their husbands went into dinner together. Perhaps it was absurd that they should feel any especial emotion over so simple a matter as having their first dinner party with one another since their marriages.

Nevertheless it was true that each girl in her own fashion did feel this emotion.

Since Jack's and Jean's few moments in the dining room some hours before, a slight change had taken place in the decoration of the table.

Two little silk flags stood near the center; as a matter of course under the present circumstances, they were the American and the British emblems.

Lord Kent saluted before he sat down, nodding to Captain MacDonnell.

"To our international marriages!" he said. "Long may they wave!"

Then he turned to Frieda and Jean, the Professor and Ralph.

"And to our great American Ally!"

As the little party took their seats they observed a small white velvet box near each plate.

Jack opened hers first and discovered inside a tiny pair of crossed flags set with jewels.

Glancing toward her husband, Lady Kent discovered that he appeared as surprised as she was at the unexpected souvenir of their dinner.

Then she chanced to catch sight of Frieda and Frieda's self-conscious expression betrayed her. Moreover, her mission to London was explained.

"I move," announced the Professor gravely, "that we offer a toast first to our wives and then to that beautiful and enduring land which has ever made the appeal of a woman to her lovers the world over. I mean, of course, 'La belle France'."